WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Americans to brace for a “hell of a bad two weeks” ahead as the White House projected there could be 100,000 to 240,000 deaths in the U.S. from the coronavirus pandemic even if current social distancing guidelines are maintained.

Public health officials stressed that the number could be less if people across the country bear down on keeping their distance from one another.

“We really believe we can do a lot better than that,” said Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force. That would require all Americans to take seriously their role in preventing the spread of disease, she said.

Added Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, “This is a number that we need to anticipate, but we don’t necessarily have to accept it as being inevitable.”

Trump called it “a matter of life and death” for Americans to heed his administration’s guidelines and predicted the country would soon see a “light at the end of the tunnel” in a pandemic that has killed more than 3,500 Americans and infected 170,000 more.

“I want every American to be prepared for the hard days that lie ahead,” Trump said.

“This is going to be one of the roughest two or three weeks we’ve ever had in our country,” Trump added. “We’re going to lose thousands of people.”

The jaw-dropping projections were laid out during a grim, two-hour White House briefing. Officials described a death toll that in a best-case scenario would likely be greater than the more than 53,000 American lives lost during World War I. And the model’s high end neared the realm of possibility that Americans lost to the virus could approach the 291,000 Americans killed on the battlefield during World II.

“There’s no magic bullet,” Birx said. “There’s no magic vaccine or therapy. It’s just behaviors. Each of our behaviors, translating into something that changes the course of this viral pandemic.”

Fauci called the numbers “sobering” and urged Americans to “step on the accelerator” with their collective mitigation efforts.

“We are continuing to see things go up,” Fauci said. “We cannot be discouraged by that because the mitigation is actually working and will work.”

Birx said pandemic forecasts initially predicted 1.5 million to 2.2 million deaths in the U.S. But that was a worst-case scenario, without efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus through social distancing. She added that states that have not yet seen a spike in cases as New York has could take action to flatten the curve of rising hospitalizations and deaths.

It’s not only social distancing that could make a difference, but also the frantic efforts by hospitals around the country to prepare for an onslaught of seriously ill patients. The better prepared hospitals are, the greater the chances of lives being saved.

There’s also a wild card when it comes to treatment: whether the experimental drug combination Trump has touted — a medicine for malaria and an antibiotic — will actually make a difference. That combination is already being used on thousands of patients, and Fauci said he would want to see a rigorous test of its effectiveness.

Trump’s comments came after he announced Sunday that he was extending to April 30 the social distancing guidelines that advise Americans to cease large gatherings, work from home, suspend onsite learning at schools and more in a nationwide effort to stem the spread of the virus.

It was an abrupt reversal for Trump, who spent much of last week targeting April 12 as the day he wanted to see Americans “pack the pews” for Easter Sunday services.

Trump called the data “very sobering,” saying it was his understanding that 100,000 deaths was a minimum that would be difficult to avoid. He also sought to rewrite his past minimization of the outbreak, saying he rejected those who compared the new coronavirus to the flu — when in fact he repeatedly did so publicly.

"This could be hell of a bad two weeks,’” Trump said. He added: “You know 100,000 is, according to modeling, a very low number. In fact, when I first saw the number ... they said it was unlikely you’ll be able to attain that. We have to see but I think we’re doing better than that.”

Trump played down concerns from New York’s Andrew Cuomo and other governors that their states’ hospitals don’t have enough ventilators to treat an anticipated crush of patients. Trump said the federal government currently has a stockpile of 10,000 ventilators that it plans on distributing as needed.

“Now, when the surge occurs, if it occurs fairly evenly, we’ll be able to distribute them very quickly before they need them,” Trump said. “But we want to have a reserve right now. It’s like having oil reserves.”

Birx said the experiences of Washington state and California give her hope that other states can keep the coronavirus under control through social distancing. That’s because they moved quickly to contain the early clusters of coronavirus by closing schools, urging people to work from home, banning large gatherings and taking other measures now familiar to most Americans, she noted.

“I am reassured by looking at the Seattle line,” she added. “California and Washington state reacted very early to this.” Many other states and local governments already have stiff controls in place on mobility and gatherings.

Trump said he would also ask Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to allow the docking of two cruise ships with passengers who have had contact with patients suffering from COVID-19. Passengers are anxious to disembark once they reach Florida, but DeSantis said the state’s health care resources are already stretched too thin to take on a ship’s coronavirus caseload.

“They’re dying on the ship,” Trump said. “I’m going to do what’s right, not only for us for but humanity.”

Trump also said he planned to curtail his travel for the month ahead and stay close to the White House to safeguard his health. The president hasn’t held one of his signature big-stadium rallies since early March, and it’s unlikely he’ll be holding another one anytime soon.

“I think it’s important that I remain healthy. I really do,” Trump said. “So for the most part we’re staying here.”

Trump spoke after another troubling day for the stock market, which has been in a free fall as the cononavirus ground the economy to a near-halt and left millions unemployed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged more than 400 points, or roughly 1.9%, to seal the worst first-quarter finish of its 135-year history.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585692040069.png" alt="Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force." />
 <figcaption>Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Americans to brace for a “hell of a bad two weeks” ahead as the White House projected there could be 100,000 to 240,000 deaths in the U.S. from the coronavirus pandemic even if current social distancing guidelines are maintained.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585691283364.png" alt="White House image" />
 <figcaption>White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>Public health officials stressed that the number could be less if people across the country bear down on keeping their distance from one another.“We really believe we can do a lot better than that,” said Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force. That would require all Americans to take seriously their role in preventing the spread of disease, she said.Added Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, “This is a number that we need to anticipate, but we don’t necessarily have to accept it as being inevitable.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585691441605.png" alt="White House image" />
 <figcaption>White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump called it “a matter of life and death” for Americans to heed his administration’s guidelines and predicted the country would soon see a “light at the end of the tunnel” in a pandemic that has killed more than 3,500 Americans and infected 170,000 more.“I want every American to be prepared for the hard days that lie ahead,” Trump said.“This is going to be one of the roughest two or three weeks we’ve ever had in our country,” Trump added. “We’re going to lose thousands of people.”The jaw-dropping projections were laid out during a grim, two-hour White House briefing. Officials described a death toll that in a best-case scenario would likely be greater than the more than 53,000 American lives lost during World War I. And the model’s high end neared the realm of possibility that Americans lost to the virus could approach the 291,000 Americans killed on the battlefield during World II.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585691504295.png" alt="White House image" />
 <figcaption>White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>“There’s no magic bullet,” Birx said. “There’s no magic vaccine or therapy. It’s just behaviors. Each of our behaviors, translating into something that changes the course of this viral pandemic.”Fauci called the numbers “sobering” and urged Americans to “step on the accelerator” with their collective mitigation efforts.“We are continuing to see things go up,” Fauci said. “We cannot be discouraged by that because the mitigation is actually working and will work.”Birx said pandemic forecasts initially predicted 1.5 million to 2.2 million deaths in the U.S. But that was a worst-case scenario, without efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus through social distancing. She added that states that have not yet seen a spike in cases as New York has could take action to flatten the curve of rising hospitalizations and deaths.It’s not only social distancing that could make a difference, but also the frantic efforts by hospitals around the country to prepare for an onslaught of seriously ill patients. The better prepared hospitals are, the greater the chances of lives being saved.There’s also a wild card when it comes to treatment: whether the experimental drug combination Trump has touted — a medicine for malaria and an antibiotic — will actually make a difference. That combination is already being used on thousands of patients, and Fauci said he would want to see a rigorous test of its effectiveness.Trump’s comments came after he announced Sunday that he was extending to April 30 the social distancing guidelines that advise Americans to cease large gatherings, work from home, suspend onsite learning at schools and more in a nationwide effort to stem the spread of the virus.It was an abrupt reversal for Trump, who spent much of last week targeting April 12 as the day he wanted to see Americans “pack the pews” for Easter Sunday services.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585691352994.png" alt="White House image" />
 <figcaption>White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump called the data “very sobering,” saying it was his understanding that 100,000 deaths was a minimum that would be difficult to avoid. He also sought to rewrite his past minimization of the outbreak, saying he rejected those who compared the new coronavirus to the flu — when in fact he repeatedly did so publicly."This could be hell of a bad two weeks,’” Trump said. He added: “You know 100,000 is, according to modeling, a very low number. In fact, when I first saw the number ... they said it was unlikely you’ll be able to attain that. We have to see but I think we’re doing better than that.”Trump played down concerns from New York’s Andrew Cuomo and other governors that their states’ hospitals don’t have enough ventilators to treat an anticipated crush of patients. Trump said the federal government currently has a stockpile of 10,000 ventilators that it plans on distributing as needed.“Now, when the surge occurs, if it occurs fairly evenly, we’ll be able to distribute them very quickly before they need them,” Trump said. “But we want to have a reserve right now. It’s like having oil reserves.”Birx said the experiences of Washington state and California give her hope that other states can keep the coronavirus under control through social distancing. That’s because they moved quickly to contain the early clusters of coronavirus by closing schools, urging people to work from home, banning large gatherings and taking other measures now familiar to most Americans, she noted.“I am reassured by looking at the Seattle line,” she added. “California and Washington state reacted very early to this.” Many other states and local governments already have stiff controls in place on mobility and gatherings.Trump said he would also ask Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to allow the docking of two cruise ships with passengers who have had contact with patients suffering from COVID-19. Passengers are anxious to disembark once they reach Florida, but DeSantis said the state’s health care resources are already stretched too thin to take on a ship’s coronavirus caseload.“They’re dying on the ship,” Trump said. “I’m going to do what’s right, not only for us for but humanity.”Trump also said he planned to curtail his travel for the month ahead and stay close to the White House to safeguard his health. The president hasn’t held one of his signature big-stadium rallies since early March, and it’s unlikely he’ll be holding another one anytime soon.“I think it’s important that I remain healthy. I really do,” Trump said. “So for the most part we’re staying here.”Trump spoke after another troubling day for the stock market, which has been in a free fall as the cononavirus ground the economy to a near-halt and left millions unemployed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged more than 400 points, or roughly 1.9%, to seal the worst first-quarter finish of its 135-year history.

White House projects up to 240K US deaths from virus

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Health Department announced its ninth positive case of COVID-19 Tuesday afternoon.

The patient is a male in his 30s with a recent international travel history. He is in home isolation per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Case contact investigation is underway.

The state of Kansas is under a statewide Stay Home Order. This means all citizens are directed to stay in their homes unless performing an essential activity as described in Executive Order 20-16 signed by the Governor.

The department continues to highly encourage Reno County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19.

Please practice good hygiene with frequent hand washing, proper respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow bend, limit handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585343971615.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Health Department announced its ninth positive case of COVID-19 Tuesday afternoon.The patient is a male in his 30s with a recent international travel history. He is in home isolation per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Case contact investigation is underway.The state of Kansas is under a statewide Stay Home Order. This means all citizens are directed to stay in their homes unless performing an essential activity as described in Executive Order 20-16 signed by the Governor.The department continues to highly encourage Reno County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19.Please practice good hygiene with frequent hand washing, proper respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow bend, limit handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

Reno County announces ninth positive COVID-19 case Tuesday

WASHINGTON (AP) — A $500 billion federal aid package for companies and governments hurt by the coronavirus includes rules aimed at ensuring that the taxpayer money is used in ways that would help sustain the economy. But questions are being raised about whether those guardrails will prevent the kinds of abuses that have marked some corporate bailouts of the past.

In return for the emergency loans, which could be spun by the Federal Reserve into up to $4.5 trillion, companies will face temporary limits on what they can pay executives. They’ll also need to keep their workforces stable or at least not lay off more than 10% for several months. And they’ll face restrictions on stock buybacks and dividend increases.

Yet loopholes may lurk in the legislation.

“On paper, it looks like we learned the lessons,’’ said James Angel, an associate professor of finance at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. “But the devil is in the details. ... There’s a lot of room around the edges.”

The legislation establishes a system of oversight on how companies use the rescue money. The oversight is widely thought to exceed the standards for the bailouts of banks and automakers in the 2008-09 financial crisis. Critics have long attacked those bailouts as an unwarranted giveaway to corporations whose conduct contributed directly to the crisis.

Under the just-enacted $2.2 trillion package, a government watchdog and a panel appointed by Congress will monitor how the billions in aid are deployed and whether its corporate recipients are meeting the restrictions.

President Donald Trump wasted little time, though, in throwing the oversight system into question. After signing the relief package Friday, Trump issued a statement that seemed to reject the independence of a new inspector general’s office. He said he wouldn't recognize the inspector general's right to report to Congress without “presidential supervision.” Trump's statement went on to dispute other aspects of the oversight rules, including that Congress should be consulted in the allocation of relief money.

It will be up to Trump to appoint the special inspector general for the bailout fund, who will have to be confirmed by the Senate.

By any standards, the overall package is a staggering pot of money — by far the largest in the history of crisis relief for industries and local governments. About $425 billion is to be used by the Treasury Department to support the Fed's emergency lending programs. These include loans for small and medium-sized businesses. Because the companies, states and cities are deemed likely to repay the loans, the Fed is able to to leverage the money into up to roughly $4 trillion in actual lending.

“A program of this scale and scope ... when things are moving so fast, will need vigorous scrutiny,” said Phil Angelides, a former California state treasurer who led the 10-member congressional oversight panel for the financial-crisis bailout.

Peter Henning, a law professor at Wayne State University and a former Justice Department attorney, notes that the bailout program gives wide latitude to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

“Secretary Mnuchin has authority to basically negotiate any kind of loan that he wants," Henning said. “We'll see who gets favored and who doesn't."

For companies that receive emergency aid, there may be wiggle room in the conditions attached to it. While they can’t shrink their workforce by more than 10% through the fall, there’s no prohibition against cutting employee wages — except for airlines that receive direct grants. These grants must be used for employee pay and benefits.

Companies could also reduce workers’ hours and overtime without running afoul of a ban on breaching union contracts.

“A lot of people are going to see their compensation fall even though they still have a job,” Georgetown’s Angel said. “Just the fear of that puts the brakes on the economy.”

In addition, some corporate recipients of aid will likely find ways to bypass limits on executive compensation, Angel suggested, through how stock options are valued or through non-financial perks like housing and travel expenses.

During the financial crisis, public advocates railed against revelations of excessive pay packages for executives at some banks and automakers that received billions in taxpayer aid. The Treasury did take equity stakes in the companies in exchange for emergency loans — an idea that Trump has endorsed for the new aid program. This is likely to be the case for airlines that receive direct federal grants.

Another condition is that recipient companies cannot buy back their own shares from investors for at least a year after the loan term ends. This restriction may be easier than others to monitor because of public reporting requirements for stock transactions.

Buybacks tend to inflate stock prices by reducing the number of shares in circulation. This can produce a bonanza for executives whose compensation comes mainly in stock awards and options rather than salary. Better to use the aid, critics say, to preserve employee jobs or wages, invest in expansion or build cash reserves for future emergencies.

Four big airlines — American, United, Delta and Southwest — spent a combined $39 billion in the past five years on share buybacks, according to S&amp;P Global. The new $500 billion relief fund earmarks up to $50 billion for loans and grants to airlines; $8 billion for cargo carriers; and up to $17 billion for “businesses critical to maintaining national security" — regarded as a life vest for Boeing. The struggles of the aircraft giant, reeling from the grounding of its 737 Max jet, have deepened as air travel has nearly halted.

In addition to airlines, the distressed industries that have pleaded for federal help include hotels, restaurants, retailers and manufacturers.

The emergency loans for corporations, to run up to five years, bar executives at recipient companies who earned over $425,000 last year from receiving compensation that would exceed their 2019 total. Nor will “golden parachutes” payments for senior executives who are let go be allowed to exceed twice an executive's 2019 compensation if it topped $425,000. And executives who earned over $3 million last year cannot receive compensation exceeding $3 million plus half of any 2019 pay over $3 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584462219509.png" alt="Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing" />
 <figcaption>Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A $500 billion federal aid package for companies and governments hurt by the coronavirus includes rules aimed at ensuring that the taxpayer money is used in ways that would help sustain the economy. But questions are being raised about whether those guardrails will prevent the kinds of abuses that have marked some corporate bailouts of the past.In return for the emergency loans, which could be spun by the Federal Reserve into up to $4.5 trillion, companies will face temporary limits on what they can pay executives. They’ll also need to keep their workforces stable or at least not lay off more than 10% for several months. And they’ll face restrictions on stock buybacks and dividend increases.Yet loopholes may lurk in the legislation.“On paper, it looks like we learned the lessons,’’ said James Angel, an associate professor of finance at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. “But the devil is in the details. ... There’s a lot of room around the edges.”The legislation establishes a system of oversight on how companies use the rescue money. The oversight is widely thought to exceed the standards for the bailouts of banks and automakers in the 2008-09 financial crisis. Critics have long attacked those bailouts as an unwarranted giveaway to corporations whose conduct contributed directly to the crisis.Under the just-enacted $2.2 trillion package, a government watchdog and a panel appointed by Congress will monitor how the billions in aid are deployed and whether its corporate recipients are meeting the restrictions.President Donald Trump wasted little time, though, in throwing the oversight system into question. After signing the relief package Friday, Trump issued a statement that seemed to reject the independence of a new inspector general’s office. He said he wouldn't recognize the inspector general's right to report to Congress without “presidential supervision.” Trump's statement went on to dispute other aspects of the oversight rules, including that Congress should be consulted in the allocation of relief money.It will be up to Trump to appoint the special inspector general for the bailout fund, who will have to be confirmed by the Senate.By any standards, the overall package is a staggering pot of money — by far the largest in the history of crisis relief for industries and local governments. About $425 billion is to be used by the Treasury Department to support the Fed's emergency lending programs. These include loans for small and medium-sized businesses. Because the companies, states and cities are deemed likely to repay the loans, the Fed is able to to leverage the money into up to roughly $4 trillion in actual lending.“A program of this scale and scope ... when things are moving so fast, will need vigorous scrutiny,” said Phil Angelides, a former California state treasurer who led the 10-member congressional oversight panel for the financial-crisis bailout.Peter Henning, a law professor at Wayne State University and a former Justice Department attorney, notes that the bailout program gives wide latitude to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.“Secretary Mnuchin has authority to basically negotiate any kind of loan that he wants," Henning said. “We'll see who gets favored and who doesn't."For companies that receive emergency aid, there may be wiggle room in the conditions attached to it. While they can’t shrink their workforce by more than 10% through the fall, there’s no prohibition against cutting employee wages — except for airlines that receive direct grants. These grants must be used for employee pay and benefits.Companies could also reduce workers’ hours and overtime without running afoul of a ban on breaching union contracts.“A lot of people are going to see their compensation fall even though they still have a job,” Georgetown’s Angel said. “Just the fear of that puts the brakes on the economy.”In addition, some corporate recipients of aid will likely find ways to bypass limits on executive compensation, Angel suggested, through how stock options are valued or through non-financial perks like housing and travel expenses.During the financial crisis, public advocates railed against revelations of excessive pay packages for executives at some banks and automakers that received billions in taxpayer aid. The Treasury did take equity stakes in the companies in exchange for emergency loans — an idea that Trump has endorsed for the new aid program. This is likely to be the case for airlines that receive direct federal grants.Another condition is that recipient companies cannot buy back their own shares from investors for at least a year after the loan term ends. This restriction may be easier than others to monitor because of public reporting requirements for stock transactions.Buybacks tend to inflate stock prices by reducing the number of shares in circulation. This can produce a bonanza for executives whose compensation comes mainly in stock awards and options rather than salary. Better to use the aid, critics say, to preserve employee jobs or wages, invest in expansion or build cash reserves for future emergencies.Four big airlines — American, United, Delta and Southwest — spent a combined $39 billion in the past five years on share buybacks, according to S&amp;P Global. The new $500 billion relief fund earmarks up to $50 billion for loans and grants to airlines; $8 billion for cargo carriers; and up to $17 billion for “businesses critical to maintaining national security" — regarded as a life vest for Boeing. The struggles of the aircraft giant, reeling from the grounding of its 737 Max jet, have deepened as air travel has nearly halted.In addition to airlines, the distressed industries that have pleaded for federal help include hotels, restaurants, retailers and manufacturers.The emergency loans for corporations, to run up to five years, bar executives at recipient companies who earned over $425,000 last year from receiving compensation that would exceed their 2019 total. Nor will “golden parachutes” payments for senior executives who are let go be allowed to exceed twice an executive's 2019 compensation if it topped $425,000. And executives who earned over $3 million last year cannot receive compensation exceeding $3 million plus half of any 2019 pay over $3 million.__

Conditions for companies that get virus aid: Room for abuse?

TOPEKA –&nbsp;People who attended the Kansas East Jurisdiction’s 2020 Ministers and Workers Conference at the Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ located at 2106 Quindaro Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66104 from March 16-22, may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Health.

This event has been identified as a place of exposure for multiple people in Kansas who have since become ill and tested positive for COVID-19.

Symptoms for COVID-19 appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other rarer symptoms that may develop include malaise, sore throat and diarrhea.

If you develop any of these symptoms, but are not ill enough to seek medical care, you must stay home for at least 7 days after symptom started or for 72 hours after fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and with a significant improvement in symptoms, whichever is longer. If you develop these symptoms and need to seek medical care, call your healthcare provider beforehand to inform them that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and require medical attention.

If you attended this event and develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 between 2 and 14 days later, please call your local health department as they will conduct a confidential investigation to prevent further transmission of COVID-19.

For more information about COVID-19 in Kansas, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Fcoronavirus&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C042a1edf1de145d374d508d7d5b47766%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637212843374682280&amp;sdata=qleGonZO74ZQP%2FUtHLm5kLVzOSHE6pVERomGOC8e%2FeE%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus</a>. For questions regarding isolation and quarantine for COVID-19, please contact your local health department or KDHE’s Epidemiology Hotline at 877-427-7317.

TOPEKA –&nbsp;People who attended the Kansas East Jurisdiction’s 2020 Ministers and Workers Conference at the Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ located at 2106 Quindaro Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66104 from March 16-22, may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Health.This event has been identified as a place of exposure for multiple people in Kansas who have since become ill and tested positive for COVID-19.Symptoms for COVID-19 appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other rarer symptoms that may develop include malaise, sore throat and diarrhea.If you develop any of these symptoms, but are not ill enough to seek medical care, you must stay home for at least 7 days after symptom started or for 72 hours after fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and with a significant improvement in symptoms, whichever is longer. If you develop these symptoms and need to seek medical care, call your healthcare provider beforehand to inform them that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and require medical attention.If you attended this event and develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 between 2 and 14 days later, please call your local health department as they will conduct a confidential investigation to prevent further transmission of COVID-19.For more information about COVID-19 in Kansas, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Fcoronavirus&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C042a1edf1de145d374d508d7d5b47766%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637212843374682280&amp;sdata=qleGonZO74ZQP%2FUtHLm5kLVzOSHE6pVERomGOC8e%2FeE%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus</a>. For questions regarding isolation and quarantine for COVID-19, please contact your local health department or KDHE’s Epidemiology Hotline at 877-427-7317.

KDHE: Attendees at church conference may have been exposed to virus

TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed an Executive Order Tuesday that will provide temporary relief from certain unemployment insurance requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

The governor addressed the issues during a Tuesday afternoon news conference.

<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO-20-17-Executed.pdf">Click here to read</a> details on the new executive order 20-17.

&nbsp;It will ensure Kansans can draw down millions in federal dollars under the federal CARES Act.

The federal stimulus will expand unemployment insurance to include self-employed, 1099-independent contractors, gig and low-wage workers who can no longer work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement also increases weekly benefits for all unemployed workers by $600 a week for up to four months.

"Certain provisions of Kansas employment security law will impede Kansas’ ability to draw down millions in federal funds for unemployment insurance programs,” Kelly said. “This order will allow flexibility to ensure Kansas workers and small business owners can secure the safety and protection that unemployment insurance is designed to provide at times of crisis.”

Executive Order 20-17 makes three, temporary changes to Kansas employment security law:

“This flexibility will ensure that our Department of Labor can keep up with the surge of unemployment claims our state is experiencing and that Kansas workers and small business owners can secure the safety and protection that unemployment insurance is designed to provide at times of crisis,” Kelly said.

Kelly also addressed the unprecedented volume of calls coming into the Kansas Department of Labor. Just yesterday, the agency received over 877,000 calls to their unemployment line. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the agency received an average of 1,100 calls per week.

“Labor Secretary Delia Garcia and her team are working quickly to expand capacity at the call centers,” Kelly said. “They have added phone lines, hired additional employees and are working with employers to speed up the benefit process. The website remains the fastest and most efficient way to file for benefits, but if you must call in, please be patient. This is an incredibly stressful time for everybody, and the Department of Labor is working hard to get applications processed and benefits distributed.”

TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed an Executive Order Tuesday that will provide temporary relief from certain unemployment insurance requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;The governor addressed the issues during a Tuesday afternoon news conference.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F210912297003625%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO-20-17-Executed.pdf">Click here to read</a> details on the new executive order 20-17.&nbsp;It will ensure Kansans can draw down millions in federal dollars under the federal CARES Act.The federal stimulus will expand unemployment insurance to include self-employed, 1099-independent contractors, gig and low-wage workers who can no longer work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement also increases weekly benefits for all unemployed workers by $600 a week for up to four months."Certain provisions of Kansas employment security law will impede Kansas’ ability to draw down millions in federal funds for unemployment insurance programs,” Kelly said. “This order will allow flexibility to ensure Kansas workers and small business owners can secure the safety and protection that unemployment insurance is designed to provide at times of crisis.”Executive Order 20-17 makes three, temporary changes to Kansas employment security law:<ol>
 <li>The waiting week requirement for unemployment benefits is temporarily waived for all claimants;</li><li>The requirement that Kansans receiving unemployment benefits actively seek work each week is temporarily waived for all claimants to allow Kansans to continue the necessary social distancing practices;</li><li>All Kansas employers, as required by the federal Department of Labor, must notify separated employees if they qualify for unemployment insurance.</li>
 </ol>“This flexibility will ensure that our Department of Labor can keep up with the surge of unemployment claims our state is experiencing and that Kansas workers and small business owners can secure the safety and protection that unemployment insurance is designed to provide at times of crisis,” Kelly said.Kelly also addressed the unprecedented volume of calls coming into the Kansas Department of Labor. Just yesterday, the agency received over 877,000 calls to their unemployment line. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the agency received an average of 1,100 calls per week.“Labor Secretary Delia Garcia and her team are working quickly to expand capacity at the call centers,” Kelly said. “They have added phone lines, hired additional employees and are working with employers to speed up the benefit process. The website remains the fastest and most efficient way to file for benefits, but if you must call in, please be patient. This is an incredibly stressful time for everybody, and the Department of Labor is working hard to get applications processed and benefits distributed.”

 🎥 New executive order will help Kansans with unemployment insurance

BUHLER, Kan. —  It was a very busy day and there were a few glitches, but Buhler USD 313 kicked its online learning curriculum into gear on Monday. Assistant Superintendent Cindy Couchman says it was a learning experience for all.

“This was new for all of us. It was new for our teachers, it was new for our parents and we’re learning a lot,” Couchman said. “Sometimes what we think is going to roll out the way we think it’s going too, it just doesn’t.”

One thing that came to light is the pace at which assignments were being completed. Couchman says things didn’t move along as quickly as expected.

“What we’re hearing is maybe it’s taking a little bit longer, parents are a little bit overwhelmed with emails,” Couchman said. “We are giving that feedback straight to our teachers and they’ve been very receptive to it.”

Couchman says the district is also working to keep the line of communication moving more efficiently so parents and students can get the proper information.

“We had some feedback that parents missed Zoom meetings because they were overwhelmed with emails and they missed time links,” Couchman noted. Couchman said adjustments were being made to all communications. She said communications will be dropped into Google Classroom and Seesaw to try and narrow down the number of emails parents are getting.

Couchman says they want parents to continue giving feedback so they can make the classwork go as smoothly as possible.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1569431760353.gif" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BUHLER, Kan. — It was a very busy day and there were a few glitches, but Buhler USD 313 kicked its online learning curriculum into gear on Monday. Assistant Superintendent Cindy Couchman says it was a learning experience for all.“This was new for all of us. It was new for our teachers, it was new for our parents and we’re learning a lot,” Couchman said. “Sometimes what we think is going to roll out the way we think it’s going too, it just doesn’t.”One thing that came to light is the pace at which assignments were being completed. Couchman says things didn’t move along as quickly as expected.“What we’re hearing is maybe it’s taking a little bit longer, parents are a little bit overwhelmed with emails,” Couchman said. “We are giving that feedback straight to our teachers and they’ve been very receptive to it.”Couchman says the district is also working to keep the line of communication moving more efficiently so parents and students can get the proper information.“We had some feedback that parents missed Zoom meetings because they were overwhelmed with emails and they missed time links,” Couchman noted. Couchman said adjustments were being made to all communications. She said communications will be dropped into Google Classroom and Seesaw to try and narrow down the number of emails parents are getting.Couchman says they want parents to continue giving feedback so they can make the classwork go as smoothly as possible.

USD 313 kicks off first day of online learning

TOPEKA —The Kansas Department of Health released the latest coronavirus numbers Tuesday afternoon. Monday's report indicated the youngest coronavirus patient as a 4-year-old old. Tuesday's report includes a patient less than a year-old.

TOPEKA —The Kansas Department of Health released the latest coronavirus numbers Tuesday afternoon. Monday's report indicated the youngest coronavirus patient as a 4-year-old old. Tuesday's report includes a patient less than a year-old.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585681530635.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Latest coronavirus numbers in Kan. includes infant to 95-year-old


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Kansas First District Congressman Dr. Roger Marshall said the CARES legislation will have several positive effects for Reno County.

"Dr. Degner there at Hutch Hospital is working on becoming a site source for testing for the coronavirus," Marshall said. "Hopefully, we're getting people like him the supplies that he needs as well as protective equipment for your nurses and doctors."

"Every adult in Reno County is going to get $1200 and if they have children, $500," Marshall said. "That's either going to come in a check or an automatic deposit in their bank."

Those payments will come quicker for those where the IRS already has your information on file.

The goal is three weeks from now, people should be getting automatic deposits, if that's what they did the last time they filed their income tax," Marshall said. "If not, they'll mail it to your home based on that last income tax return. Everyone may want to check in with their accountant."

If there's been a major change in your income or your family status that the IRS doesn't know about because you haven't filed yet this year, it might be worth it to expedite your filing to get them the most current information, even though the deadline has been extended.

In addition, there are forgivable loans for small businesses who use that money to keep employees on and there are also expanded unemployment benefits for those who do lose their jobs, up to 39 weeks of benefits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584054346770.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Kansas First District Congressman Dr. Roger Marshall said the CARES legislation will have several positive effects for Reno County."Dr. Degner there at Hutch Hospital is working on becoming a site source for testing for the coronavirus," Marshall said. "Hopefully, we're getting people like him the supplies that he needs as well as protective equipment for your nurses and doctors."The bill also helps protect families."Every adult in Reno County is going to get $1200 and if they have children, $500," Marshall said. "That's either going to come in a check or an automatic deposit in their bank."Those payments will come quicker for those where the IRS already has your information on file.The goal is three weeks from now, people should be getting automatic deposits, if that's what they did the last time they filed their income tax," Marshall said. "If not, they'll mail it to your home based on that last income tax return. Everyone may want to check in with their accountant."If there's been a major change in your income or your family status that the IRS doesn't know about because you haven't filed yet this year, it might be worth it to expedite your filing to get them the most current information, even though the deadline has been extended.In addition, there are forgivable loans for small businesses who use that money to keep employees on and there are also expanded unemployment benefits for those who do lose their jobs, up to 39 weeks of benefits.

CARES legislation helps Reno County, Marshall says


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;For those who may be holding off shopping trips on the first few days of the month to save supplies for those serviced by WIC or SNAP benefits, that's not how it works in Kansas.

According to Heather Peterson with the Reno County Health Department, in Kansas, the first use date of benefits depends on the date the family is first serviced by WIC. 

If a family is seen for the first time on March 28, their benefits go into effect that day and are in effect for 30 days, benefits in subsequent months will then start of the 28th of each month. Families must continue to keep WIC appointments in order to continue to receive benefits. WIC is continuing to serve families, including families that have experienced recent job loss.

SNAP regulations in Kansas load benefits on the card recipients use based on the first letter of the recipient's last name. Last names with A or B are on the 1st, C or D on the 2nd, E, F, or G on the 3rd, H, I or J on the 4th, K or L on the 5th, M on the 6th, N through R on the 7th, S on the 8th, T through V on the 9th and W through Z on the 10th.

For the full EBT handbook, go <a href="http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Documents/EBT/V-2_EBT_Handbook.pdf">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585599438249.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;For those who may be holding off shopping trips on the first few days of the month to save supplies for those serviced by WIC or SNAP benefits, that's not how it works in Kansas.According to Heather Peterson with the Reno County Health Department, in Kansas, the first use date of benefits depends on the date the family is first serviced by WIC. If a family is seen for the first time on March 28, their benefits go into effect that day and are in effect for 30 days, benefits in subsequent months will then start of the 28th of each month. Families must continue to keep WIC appointments in order to continue to receive benefits. WIC is continuing to serve families, including families that have experienced recent job loss.SNAP regulations in Kansas load benefits on the card recipients use based on the first letter of the recipient's last name. Last names with A or B are on the 1st, C or D on the 2nd, E, F, or G on the 3rd, H, I or J on the 4th, K or L on the 5th, M on the 6th, N through R on the 7th, S on the 8th, T through V on the 9th and W through Z on the 10th.For the full EBT handbook, go <a href="http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Documents/EBT/V-2_EBT_Handbook.pdf">here</a>.

WIC and SNAP benefits spread throughout the month


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Regional EMS directors are looking to see who else in the communities may be able to help if there is illness among their ranks.

"The south central Region III EMS Council met over a web conference and worked on coordinating plans together for additional mutual aid responses into areas that might run into staffing issues," said Reno County EMS Director Dave Johnston. "Out of that, I think, will be some surveys pushed out into the community looking for previously certified EMS providers, establishing a list of people that could assist if we end up with this impacting our workforce."

The survey should be out this week asking for those who can help.

"The Kansas Board of EMS, they may give some leeway to extending certifications back for at least two years if they've expired," Johnston said. "That will take some action on their part to enact that. We will be encompassing providers that have had their expiration dates as far back as 2017, just to see what availability they might have."

Right now, that's just a contingency plan. Their hasn't been any change in local response to this point.

By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Regional EMS directors are looking to see who else in the communities may be able to help if there is illness among their ranks."The south central Region III EMS Council met over a web conference and worked on coordinating plans together for additional mutual aid responses into areas that might run into staffing issues," said Reno County EMS Director Dave Johnston. "Out of that, I think, will be some surveys pushed out into the community looking for previously certified EMS providers, establishing a list of people that could assist if we end up with this impacting our workforce."The survey should be out this week asking for those who can help."The Kansas Board of EMS, they may give some leeway to extending certifications back for at least two years if they've expired," Johnston said. "That will take some action on their part to enact that. We will be encompassing providers that have had their expiration dates as far back as 2017, just to see what availability they might have."Right now, that's just a contingency plan. Their hasn't been any change in local response to this point.

EMS looking at contingency staffing options regionally


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The plan from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is to get better numbers in the hands of local authorities as fast as they can.

"We are in the beginning stages of putting forth a new process that will be timely for all the health care providers in our community that are testing, as well as for us as a health department, in terms of the epidemiological investigation," said Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti.

The difference is coming from entities other than the state lab.

"Private labs are beginning to upload those results daily into the statewide system that we draw those results from," Baldetti said. "We're now getting those results in a much more timely fashion, in terms of communication, than we were previously. We should be able to turn around and discuss with both the individuals who have been tested, but then also with our health care providers as well, in terms of protection of staff and exposure."

This communication will make it so everyone knows at around the same time the results of a given test, while still protecting the identity of the individual who was tested.

"There's basically one synchronized database versus waiting for disaggregated communication from each individual private lab as well as the state lab," Baldetti said. "Now, we're just getting one full report versus multiple reports of different entities at differing times."

This should make it easier for those who are tracking the data to compare one day to the next and get a better handle on where we are on the infection curve.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585343971615.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The plan from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is to get better numbers in the hands of local authorities as fast as they can."We are in the beginning stages of putting forth a new process that will be timely for all the health care providers in our community that are testing, as well as for us as a health department, in terms of the epidemiological investigation," said Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti.The difference is coming from entities other than the state lab."Private labs are beginning to upload those results daily into the statewide system that we draw those results from," Baldetti said. "We're now getting those results in a much more timely fashion, in terms of communication, than we were previously. We should be able to turn around and discuss with both the individuals who have been tested, but then also with our health care providers as well, in terms of protection of staff and exposure."This communication will make it so everyone knows at around the same time the results of a given test, while still protecting the identity of the individual who was tested."There's basically one synchronized database versus waiting for disaggregated communication from each individual private lab as well as the state lab," Baldetti said. "Now, we're just getting one full report versus multiple reports of different entities at differing times."This should make it easier for those who are tracking the data to compare one day to the next and get a better handle on where we are on the infection curve.

Baldetti: Numbers of cases will now come in more consistently

NEW YORK (AP) — When will the money arrive?

That’s the urgent question for small business owners who have been devastated by the coronavirus outbreak. They’re awaiting help from the $2 trillion rescue package signed into law Friday. But with bills fast coming due, no end to business closings and an economy that’s all but shut down, owners are worried about survival.

Millions of owners face April 1 due dates for rent, mortgage, credit card and other payments. Some have been granted leniency from landlords and lenders. But even then, there are other business and personal bills that are owed. And employees — at least those who haven’t been laid off — must be paid.

“How quick can we get these funds?” says Adam Rammel, co-owner of Brewfontaine, a bar and restaurant in Bellefontaine, Ohio, that’s now limited to takeout and delivery service. His revenue is down 60%. Yet he has eight staffers, down from his usual 25, whom he must pay.

“Relief can’t come soon enough — we’re a cash business with small margins,” says Rammel, who is looking to Small Business Administration loans. He needs the money despite receiving some concessions from his banker.

Freelancers and people whose gig work has vanished are also anxious about having to wait.

“I need to pay my electric bill and the mortgage,” says Krista Kowalcyzk, whose Southwest Florida photography business has come to a halt as weddings have been canceled and customers have decided against having portraits shot.

She feels somewhat reassured that she can receive unemployment benefits. But while she waits, “I am terrified that not only do I have no revenue coming in, I have also been asked for thousands of dollars in refunds.”

At companies small and large, from restaurants and retailers to sports and entertainment venues, revenue has essentially dried up. The same for the businesses that support those companies. Even employers that are still operating have lost business as their customers have became too cautious to continue doing business.

The rescue package signed into law Friday provides for Small Business Administration loans to companies as well as to sole proprietors and freelancers. The loans can be used for payroll, mortgages, rent and utilities, with those amounts forgiven and payments deferred. It will also supply small loans that can, depending on an owner’s credit score, be approved quickly. Employers can receive tax credits for retaining workers, though not if they have obtained one of the SBA loans.

Many owners are also seeking separate SBA economic injury disaster loans. And the Federal Reserve plans to set up a program to lend directly to small business owners.

In addition, freelancers are now eligible for unemployment benefits. And owners can be eligible for the $1,200 per person payment that’s available to many Americans depending on their income.

Whatever the source of funding, how fast it arrives at businesses across the country is sure to have a significant impact on the economy. Slightly more than half of American workers are employed at businesses with 500 or fewer employees. Every lost job means another person will struggle to pay rent or other bills. Unpaid bills, in turn, cut revenue for other businesses.

Layoffs are mounting, and most analysts forecast that the economy will shrink significantly in the April-June quarter, with some estimating a a 30% annual plunge for the quarter. That would be deepest economic contraction for any quarter in records dating to Word War II. In the week that ended March 21, roughly 3.3 million people applied for unemployment benefits — more than 10 times the number for the previous week and nearly five times the prior record high.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said the small loans would be available starting Friday, and in an interview with the Fox Business Network, Mnuchin said he hoped to release loan forms later Monday.

Katie Vliestra, an executive at the National Association for the Self-Employed, an advocacy group, says she’s concerned about the lag time between application and approval for even the small loans that are intended to have the fastest turnaround. Most small companies have only 15 to 30 days of cash on hand, she said.

There are also worries about potential logjams at the SBA. The agency’s inspector general’s office found that the SBA failed to quickly turn around thousands of loans after Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area in 2017. (The SBA didn’t immediately respond to a request for information about handling an influx of applications.)

John Arensmeyer, CEO of the advocacy group Small Business Majority, says he’s concerned that the loans will be processed through the SBA’s traditional business loan program, which relies on banks to handle the initial applications.

“Banks have to retool their technology to do this,” Arensmeyer says. “It’s going to be months before this money gets out there. How many people are going to be able to maintain payroll, hoping to get this money?”

On its face, the rescue aid appears to address some of the most vital needs of small businesses, notably their ability to maintain or hire back furloughed workers eventually. The issue is whether it will come quickly enough.

“The challenge is cash flow,” says Jason Duff, owner of Six Hundred Downtown, a restaurant in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He has a staff of eight, down from 27, handling deliveries and pickups.

Duff has less than a week of working capital funds available. He is seeking loans from family and friends as well as some patience from vendors while he awaits federal help.

Don Allison has bills coming due this week for his business, a publisher of books about the Civil War and northwest Ohio history. He and his wife are looking forward to a combined $2,400. But the royalty checks he must send out require a bigger cash infusion. And he’s concerned about being in a long line of owners hoping to receive SBA loans.

“They’re going to be slammed,” Allison says of the SBA. “How big a delay is there going to be?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585342982232.png" alt="President Trump signed the $2.2T virus aid package Friday -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump signed the $2.2T virus aid package Friday -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — When will the money arrive?That’s the urgent question for small business owners who have been devastated by the coronavirus outbreak. They’re awaiting help from the $2 trillion rescue package signed into law Friday. But with bills fast coming due, no end to business closings and an economy that’s all but shut down, owners are worried about survival.Millions of owners face April 1 due dates for rent, mortgage, credit card and other payments. Some have been granted leniency from landlords and lenders. But even then, there are other business and personal bills that are owed. And employees — at least those who haven’t been laid off — must be paid.“How quick can we get these funds?” says Adam Rammel, co-owner of Brewfontaine, a bar and restaurant in Bellefontaine, Ohio, that’s now limited to takeout and delivery service. His revenue is down 60%. Yet he has eight staffers, down from his usual 25, whom he must pay.“Relief can’t come soon enough — we’re a cash business with small margins,” says Rammel, who is looking to Small Business Administration loans. He needs the money despite receiving some concessions from his banker.Freelancers and people whose gig work has vanished are also anxious about having to wait.“I need to pay my electric bill and the mortgage,” says Krista Kowalcyzk, whose Southwest Florida photography business has come to a halt as weddings have been canceled and customers have decided against having portraits shot.She feels somewhat reassured that she can receive unemployment benefits. But while she waits, “I am terrified that not only do I have no revenue coming in, I have also been asked for thousands of dollars in refunds.”At companies small and large, from restaurants and retailers to sports and entertainment venues, revenue has essentially dried up. The same for the businesses that support those companies. Even employers that are still operating have lost business as their customers have became too cautious to continue doing business.The rescue package signed into law Friday provides for Small Business Administration loans to companies as well as to sole proprietors and freelancers. The loans can be used for payroll, mortgages, rent and utilities, with those amounts forgiven and payments deferred. It will also supply small loans that can, depending on an owner’s credit score, be approved quickly. Employers can receive tax credits for retaining workers, though not if they have obtained one of the SBA loans.Many owners are also seeking separate SBA economic injury disaster loans. And the Federal Reserve plans to set up a program to lend directly to small business owners.In addition, freelancers are now eligible for unemployment benefits. And owners can be eligible for the $1,200 per person payment that’s available to many Americans depending on their income.Whatever the source of funding, how fast it arrives at businesses across the country is sure to have a significant impact on the economy. Slightly more than half of American workers are employed at businesses with 500 or fewer employees. Every lost job means another person will struggle to pay rent or other bills. Unpaid bills, in turn, cut revenue for other businesses.Layoffs are mounting, and most analysts forecast that the economy will shrink significantly in the April-June quarter, with some estimating a a 30% annual plunge for the quarter. That would be deepest economic contraction for any quarter in records dating to Word War II. In the week that ended March 21, roughly 3.3 million people applied for unemployment benefits — more than 10 times the number for the previous week and nearly five times the prior record high.Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said the small loans would be available starting Friday, and in an interview with the Fox Business Network, Mnuchin said he hoped to release loan forms later Monday.Katie Vliestra, an executive at the National Association for the Self-Employed, an advocacy group, says she’s concerned about the lag time between application and approval for even the small loans that are intended to have the fastest turnaround. Most small companies have only 15 to 30 days of cash on hand, she said.There are also worries about potential logjams at the SBA. The agency’s inspector general’s office found that the SBA failed to quickly turn around thousands of loans after Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area in 2017. (The SBA didn’t immediately respond to a request for information about handling an influx of applications.)John Arensmeyer, CEO of the advocacy group Small Business Majority, says he’s concerned that the loans will be processed through the SBA’s traditional business loan program, which relies on banks to handle the initial applications.“Banks have to retool their technology to do this,” Arensmeyer says. “It’s going to be months before this money gets out there. How many people are going to be able to maintain payroll, hoping to get this money?”On its face, the rescue aid appears to address some of the most vital needs of small businesses, notably their ability to maintain or hire back furloughed workers eventually. The issue is whether it will come quickly enough.“The challenge is cash flow,” says Jason Duff, owner of Six Hundred Downtown, a restaurant in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He has a staff of eight, down from 27, handling deliveries and pickups.Duff has less than a week of working capital funds available. He is seeking loans from family and friends as well as some patience from vendors while he awaits federal help.Don Allison has bills coming due this week for his business, a publisher of books about the Civil War and northwest Ohio history. He and his wife are looking forward to a combined $2,400. But the royalty checks he must send out require a bigger cash infusion. And he’s concerned about being in a long line of owners hoping to receive SBA loans.“They’re going to be slammed,” Allison says of the SBA. “How big a delay is there going to be?”

Urgent question from small businesses: When will aid arrive?

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City-area officials have cracked down on businesses that remain open despite stay-at-home orders as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Missouri surpassed 1,000.

Mayor Quinton Lucas said Monday that Kansas City issued citations to about 200 businesses for violating the city's order.&nbsp; Breaking the social distancing rule is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of up to $500 and up to six months in jail.

Residents of the Jackson County and Wyandotte and Johnson counties in neighboring Kansas have also been ordered to stay home for anything other than “essential needs.” That includes child care, health care, grocery stores, pharmacies and delivery/carry-out/drive-thru services from restaurants.

For most people,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">the virus</a>&nbsp;causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

Jackson County health officials on Monday ordered a Bass Pro Shops store in Independence to close, despite the business' belief that the public has the right to access guns and ammunition during an emergency, the newspaper&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/coronavirus/article241625496.html">reported</a>.

Health officials said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dbaf230a8b184912a846261bff73e5ce">as of Monday afternoon</a>, 1,031 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Missouri. That is an increase of 128 from Sunday. Thirteen have died.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585236316648.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City-area officials have cracked down on businesses that remain open despite stay-at-home orders as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Missouri surpassed 1,000.Mayor Quinton Lucas said Monday that Kansas City issued citations to about 200 businesses for violating the city's order.&nbsp; Breaking the social distancing rule is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of up to $500 and up to six months in jail.Residents of the Jackson County and Wyandotte and Johnson counties in neighboring Kansas have also been ordered to stay home for anything other than “essential needs.” That includes child care, health care, grocery stores, pharmacies and delivery/carry-out/drive-thru services from restaurants.For most people,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">the virus</a>&nbsp;causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.Jackson County health officials on Monday ordered a Bass Pro Shops store in Independence to close, despite the business' belief that the public has the right to access guns and ammunition during an emergency, the newspaper&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/coronavirus/article241625496.html">reported</a>.Health officials said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dbaf230a8b184912a846261bff73e5ce">as of Monday afternoon</a>, 1,031 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Missouri. That is an increase of 128 from Sunday. Thirteen have died.

Kansas City cracks down on stores breaking stay-at-home rule

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas nursing home chain linked to a coronavirus death in the Kansas City area has reported that 18 staffers and residents tested positive for the virus at another facility.

Life Care Centers of America <a href="https://lcca.com/announcement/covid-19">said Monday that </a>11 residents and seven workers were confirmed to have COVID-19 at the home in Burlington, about 60 miles south of Topeka.

A resident at the Life Care Center in Kansas City, Kansas, was the first COVID-19-related fatality reported in the state on March 12. Both are operated by a company that also runs a Washington state nursing home linked to 22 deaths.

For most people,&nbsp;the coronavirus&nbsp;causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

As a statewide stay-at-home order took effect Monday and President Donald Trump granted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/db8902e8e65561405a85bcf9ed556c87">a major disaster declaration</a>&nbsp;for the state, the number of cases grew. At last count Monday, state health officials said that Kansas has 368 cases, up from 319 on Sunday.

State and local officials reported nine deaths, including four in Wyandotte County. The latest two victims are a Sedgwick County man over 60 with underlying health conditions and a woman in her 40s in Crawford County. The deaths are the first in the state’s southern half. Most others were in the Kansas City area.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585657534018.png" alt="Life Care Center in Burlington, Kansas -Google image" />
 <figcaption>Life Care Center in Burlington, Kansas -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas nursing home chain linked to a coronavirus death in the Kansas City area has reported that 18 staffers and residents tested positive for the virus at another facility.Life Care Centers of America <a href="https://lcca.com/announcement/covid-19">said Monday that </a>11 residents and seven workers were confirmed to have COVID-19 at the home in Burlington, about 60 miles south of Topeka.A resident at the Life Care Center in Kansas City, Kansas, was the first COVID-19-related fatality reported in the state on March 12. Both are operated by a company that also runs a Washington state nursing home linked to 22 deaths.For most people,&nbsp;the coronavirus&nbsp;causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.As a statewide stay-at-home order took effect Monday and President Donald Trump granted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/db8902e8e65561405a85bcf9ed556c87">a major disaster declaration</a>&nbsp;for the state, the number of cases grew. At last count Monday, state health officials said that Kansas has 368 cases, up from 319 on Sunday.State and local officials reported nine deaths, including four in Wyandotte County. The latest two victims are a Sedgwick County man over 60 with underlying health conditions and a woman in her 40s in Crawford County. The deaths are the first in the state’s southern half. Most others were in the Kansas City area.

Kansas nursing home reports 18 coronavirus cases


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The plan for the hand sanitizer made by Salt City Brewery was revealed by the Hutchinson Fire Department on Monday, as Steve Petermann delivered over 300 gallons to the department and other first responders.

The department said in a Facebook post,  "It's great to see the community pull together in times like these!"

Even though they have more ammunition to keep their hands clean the department reminded citizens to stay home unless absolutely necessary, and to maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet if you have to get out. 

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The plan for the hand sanitizer made by Salt City Brewery was revealed by the Hutchinson Fire Department on Monday, as Steve Petermann delivered over 300 gallons to the department and other first responders.The department said in a Facebook post, "It's great to see the community pull together in times like these!"Even though they have more ammunition to keep their hands clean the department reminded citizens to stay home unless absolutely necessary, and to maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet if you have to get out.

Fire department publicizes hand sanitizer donation

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Horizons Mental Health Center wanted to emphasize that, just because the state has issued a stay-at-home order, it doesn’t mean you need to quit socializing. Beth Akins with Horizons says you simply have to find other ways to do it.

“While we encourage social distancing, we don’t encourage people to stop socializing,” Akins said. “So try to socialize in different ways. Zoom meetings have been great or reconnecting with people over the telephone.”

Akins says that exercise is also a great way to take the edge off the stress that may be increased with the stay-at-home order.

“Getting out and exercising is another great way to manage depression and anxiety,” Akins said. “When you exercise, it releases natural chemicals in your body, natural endorphins that can help combat depression.”

Akins says that you do need to stay informed on what is happening with COVID-19 and other news, but you can take in too much information.

“We also encourage people to limit the amount of news . . . because you can just as easily get overloaded with all of the information,” Akins stressed. “Pick a reputable news source and limit the amount of news . . . and then turn it off.”  

Starting a new hobby or getting things done around the house are also good ways to combat the anxiety of the stay-at-home order.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1560348672679.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Horizons Mental Health Center wanted to emphasize that, just because the state has issued a stay-at-home order, it doesn’t mean you need to quit socializing. Beth Akins with Horizons says you simply have to find other ways to do it.“While we encourage social distancing, we don’t encourage people to stop socializing,” Akins said. “So try to socialize in different ways. Zoom meetings have been great or reconnecting with people over the telephone.”Akins says that exercise is also a great way to take the edge off the stress that may be increased with the stay-at-home order.“Getting out and exercising is another great way to manage depression and anxiety,” Akins said. “When you exercise, it releases natural chemicals in your body, natural endorphins that can help combat depression.”Akins says that you do need to stay informed on what is happening with COVID-19 and other news, but you can take in too much information.“We also encourage people to limit the amount of news . . . because you can just as easily get overloaded with all of the information,” Akins stressed. “Pick a reputable news source and limit the amount of news . . . and then turn it off.” Starting a new hobby or getting things done around the house are also good ways to combat the anxiety of the stay-at-home order.

Horizons again emphasizes need to eliminate stress

NICKERSON, Kan. — Middle and high school students in Nickerson USD 309 will be able to pick up Chromebooks for online learning Tuesday and Wednesday. Students and parents should be getting information on picking up items via email or the district website. 

Interim Superintendent Dr. Jeanne Stroh says they hope to begin a soft run of classes starting Wednesday. Good news for the district is that very few students are without internet and that small group is being accommodated with learning packets to get their work done. Students in grades K-second are getting iPads with apps on them for lessons. 

Stroh says all teachers will be available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until noon to help students with any questions they may have. Plans are to continue the school year through May 21, which would be the last day of class on a normal schedule.

As far as collecting personal belongings, Stroh says it will be a couple of weeks before they can release a pickup date for students. Stroh says it will likely be some time in May before they can release the items to students.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582640712689.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICKERSON, Kan. — Middle and high school students in Nickerson USD 309 will be able to pick up Chromebooks for online learning Tuesday and Wednesday. Students and parents should be getting information on picking up items via email or the district website. Interim Superintendent Dr. Jeanne Stroh says they hope to begin a soft run of classes starting Wednesday. Good news for the district is that very few students are without internet and that small group is being accommodated with learning packets to get their work done. Students in grades K-second are getting iPads with apps on them for lessons. Stroh says all teachers will be available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until noon to help students with any questions they may have. Plans are to continue the school year through May 21, which would be the last day of class on a normal schedule.As far as collecting personal belongings, Stroh says it will be a couple of weeks before they can release a pickup date for students. Stroh says it will likely be some time in May before they can release the items to students.

Nickerson USD 309 prepares to start online classes Wednesday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local company is doing its part to help out in protecting the public from COVID-19.

FreshCo, LLC, is donating its sanitization services to the City of Hutchinson. Sanitization of all public bathrooms in Carey, Rice and Orchard parks is scheduled to take place this week. City parks are currently closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, giving an opportunity to thoroughly clean all touchpoints in these public areas. With more confirmed cases in the county, FreshCo, LLC, wanted to donate its services to the community.

London Howell, owner of FreshCo, LLC, and her husband, Raymond, moved to Hutchinson in 2015 and started their cleaning business.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585587680194.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local company is doing its part to help out in protecting the public from COVID-19.FreshCo, LLC, is donating its sanitization services to the City of Hutchinson. Sanitization of all public bathrooms in Carey, Rice and Orchard parks is scheduled to take place this week. City parks are currently closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, giving an opportunity to thoroughly clean all touchpoints in these public areas. With more confirmed cases in the county, FreshCo, LLC, wanted to donate its services to the community.London Howell, owner of FreshCo, LLC, and her husband, Raymond, moved to Hutchinson in 2015 and started their cleaning business.

Local cleaning company provides service to city

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Treasurer Brenda Kowitz says, even though the governor has issued a 60-day extension on tag renewals, residents can still get those needs taken care of right away.

Kowitz says they are encouraging customers to drop off their renewals in the outer lobby of the annex building.  There is a blue box to drop off the paperwork with a check and proof of insurance. The office asks you make sure a phone number is listed on the check. 

Kowitz says they will go out and empty the box about every hour and process those renewals. The renewals will be returned to the customer via mail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585587322893.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Treasurer Brenda Kowitz says, even though the governor has issued a 60-day extension on tag renewals, residents can still get those needs taken care of right away.Kowitz says they are encouraging customers to drop off their renewals in the outer lobby of the annex building. There is a blue box to drop off the paperwork with a check and proof of insurance. The office asks you make sure a phone number is listed on the check. Kowitz says they will go out and empty the box about every hour and process those renewals. The renewals will be returned to the customer via mail.

Drop-off service available for tag renewals 

The Kansas Department of Health released the latest coronavirus numbers Monday afternoon and does not include the most recent death reported of a Sedgwick County man over the age of 60 with underlying health conditions. A woman in her 40s in Crawford County is also a recent victim of the virus.

The deaths are the first in the southern part of the state. Most of the others were in the Kansas City area.

Monday's KDHE report also does not include the positive test on a patient in Barton County that health officials confirmed late Monday morning.

The Kansas Department of Health released the latest coronavirus numbers Monday afternoon and does not include the most recent death reported of a Sedgwick County man over the age of 60 with underlying health conditions. A woman in her 40s in Crawford County is also a recent victim of the virus.The deaths are the first in the southern part of the state. Most of the others were in the Kansas City area.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKDHEnews%2Fvideos%2F591358111723593%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="420" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Monday's KDHE report also does not include the positive test on a patient in Barton County that health officials confirmed late Monday morning.<figure>
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Coronavirus Update